In total, 154 African Americans have served in Congress. This total includes: * 144 African Americans (138 Representatives and 6 Delegates) elected only to the House of Representatives; * 9 African Americans elected or appointed only to the Senate; and * 1 African American who has served in both chambers. The first African American Members,… Continue Reading African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2018

When federal agencies and programs lack funding after the expiration of full-year or interim appropriations, the agencies and programs experience a funding gap. If funding does not resume in time to continue government operations, then, under the Antideficiency Act, an agency must cease operations, except in certain situations when law authorizes continued activity. Funding gaps… Continue Reading Shutdown of the Federal Government: Causes, Processes, and Effects

Widespread concerns exist among analysts and policymakers over the current trajectory of democracy around the world. Congress has often played an important role in supporting and institutionalizing U.S. democracy promotion, and current developments may have implications for U.S. policy, which for decades has broadly reflected the view that the spread of democracy around the world… Continue Reading Global Trends in Democracy

The federal government has broad authority over the admission of non-U.S. nationals (aliens) seeking to enter the United States. The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that the government may exclude such aliens without affording them the due process protections that traditionally apply to persons physically present in the United States. Instead, aliens seeking entry are… Continue Reading Expedited Removal of Aliens: Legal Framework

By exercising its power to determine the constitutionality of federal and state government actions, the Supreme Court has developed a large body of judicial decisions, or “precedents,” interpreting the Constitution. How the Court uses precedent to decide controversial issues has prompted debate over whether the Court should follow rules identified in prior decisions or overrule… Continue Reading Supreme Court’s Overruling of Constitutional Precedent

The U.S. Constitution establishes a system of dual sovereignty between the states and the federal government, with each state having its own government, endowed with all the functions essential to separate and independent existence. Although the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution designates “the Laws of the United States” as “the supreme Law of the… Continue Reading Federalism-Based Limitations on Congressional Power